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  • Issues Social Security Reform Faqs

    The Senate bill also would change Medicare Part D by adding an out-of-pocket maximum for beneficiaries of ,100 starting in 202No such out-of-pocket cost cap currently exists. According to our 2019 Senior Survey, about one-in-five survey participants report out-of-pocket spending this high for prescription drugs. Advisor editor Mary Johnson estimates that this legislation would protect almost 14 million Medicare beneficiaries from out-of-pocket drug costs exceeding ,100 in the first year of enactment if signed into law. .The gap between prices was even higher for brand-name drugs, with U.S. prices 3.44 times more than those in the other countries. Meanwhile, prices for generic drugs are slightly lower in the U.S. than in most other countries. Unbranded generic drugs account for 84% of drugs sold in the U.S. by volume, the researchers found, but only 12% of U.S. spending. .The extent of probable illegal work related to such reinstatements has also been growing. "With more recent work years and earnings, the percentage of reinstatements to foreign-born persons with work activity prior to SSN issuance is significantly higher—an average of about 32% of such reinstatement occurring between 1986-200Further, in some years, these reinstatements for potentially unauthorized work have been in excess of 50% of all reinstatements to foreign-born recipients," the GAO said.(17) … Continued

  • I Turn 65 This Year How Much Will I Need For Medicare Feed

    With over 1 million supporters, The Senior Citizens League is one of the nation's largest nonpartisan seniors groups. Located just outside Washington, D.C., its mission is to promote and assist members and supporters, to educate and alert senior citizens about their rights and freedoms as U.S. Citizens, and to protect and defend the benefits senior citizens have earned and paid for. The Senior Citizens League is a proud affiliate of The Retired Enlisted Association. .How the Coronavirus Pandemic Is Affecting the Finances of Older Households .How do I go about writing my Congressman and Senators? … Continued

Watch the latest video at video.foxbusiness.com .Not surprisingly, TSCL surveys and email indicated that although Medicare costs continued to grow from 2010 to 2011, many seniors were forced to cut back and forego healthcare services. This undoubtedly was a major reason why government spending on Medicare remained relatively flat. The following table illustrates responses to a question from the TSCL 2011 Healthcare Cost Survey conducted in October 2011: .The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the agency within the Department of Labor that gathers information about prices that consumers pay in order to determine the inflation rate, and therefore the COLA for next year, has let it be known that because of the virus they are going to have to estimate some of the costs of goods and services instead of finding out what they actually are. .With no increase in Social Security benefits over the past two years, seniors participating in TSCL surveys say they are putting off visits to the doctors, and many are not filling prescriptions. But foregoing healthcare can backfire, leaving you with bigger health problems and bills down the road. Here are three things you can start doing right now to lower your Medicare costs and improve your health. .The hold harmless provision usually affects only a small number of beneficiaries in any given year, which has a relatively minimal impact on Part B financing. Since 2010, however, the hold harmless provision has been triggered on a nationwide basis an unprecedented four times. This occurred when inflation was so low that the COLA was zero in 2010, 2011 and 2016 and just 0.3 percent in 2017. .A deductible is the amount of money you must pay before your coverage starts. Many Medicare supplements (Medigap policies), Medicare Advantage plans, and drug plans cover Medicare's deductible as part of the coverage you purchase. Medigap polices "B" through "J" pay the Part A dedictible, and Plans "C", "F" and "J" also cover the Part B deductible. Medicare Advantage Plans and prescription drug plans may or may not have a yearly deductible depending on the type of plan you choose. There are also federal and state government programs for low-income seniors that provide assistance for this cost. .Give yourself a Benefits Check Up: If your savings are gone, and you aren't able to get a side job, you might qualify for programs that can help pay for Medicare Part B premiums, drug costs, meals, heating and cooling your home, rental subsidies and other costs. Using the National Council on Aging's Benefits Check Up online tool is simple. You answer a few screening questions and you can get the contact information for programs in your area. .Last month, the Health and Human Services' watchdog agency announced plans to review the pace of inspections in nursing homes and barriers to completing them — referring to such checks as a "fundamental safeguard to ensure that nursing home residents are safe and receive high-quality care." .Rick is currently retired from the Central Georgia Multiple Listing Service, Inc., after serving 15 years as President and Chief Executive Officer.